Random surfaces

Start: 04/06/2010 - 12:15pm

End: 04/06/2010 - 1:10pm

Speaker:

Nicholas Pippenger (HMC)

Abstract:

A number of results will be presented concerning the following model for random surfaces: take an even number n of triangular surfaces and pair their 3n edges at random, with all (3n-1)(3n-3) ... 3 pairings being equally likely. Glue the triangles along the paired edges to obtain an orientable surface with one or more components. We are interested in the topological invariants of the resulting surface. The talk includes joint work with Kristin Schleich and Kevin Fleming.